Expert: Chris Bemis - 3/5/2010

Question
Ok so!

Me: Green eyes black wavy hair
My Mum: green eyes dark brown straight hair
My Dad: green eyes black curly hair
My Mum's Mum: Brown eyes, brown straight hair
My Mum's Dad: Brown eyes, black straight hair
My Dad's Mum: Green eyes, black wavy hair
My Dad's Dad: Unknown


My Husband: Brown eyes, straight blonde hair
His Mum: Brown eyes, straight light brown hair
His Dad: Blue eyes, straight blonde hair
His Mum's Mum: Brown eyes, straight brown hair
His Mum's Dad: Blue eyes, straight black hair
His Dad's Mum: Blue eyes, straight blonde hair
His Dad's Dad: Hazel eyes, curly dark blonde hair

What are the most likly combinations for our unborn daughter! Thank you!

Answer
Hi,

You have blue eyes, which are recessive.  This means you do not carry any genes for brown eyes, and therefore will only pass on genes for blue eyes.  Your husband has brown eyes, but because his dad has blue eyes (and therefore could only pass on the recessive "blue eye" gene to your husband), your husband carries the gene for blue eyes, as well as the dominant gene for brown eyes (from his mother).  Based on this combination bb x Bb (you x husband), your child has a 50% change of HAVING blue eyes, but a 100% chance of carrying the gene for blue eyes, even if her eyes are brown (like your husband).

The genetics for hair color and texture are not as well understood as eye color.  They are not controlled by a single gene, therefore the process of determining inheritance is not as simple.  But, based on the general tendencies (as described here: http://www.blinn.edu/socialscience/LDThomas/Feldman/Handouts/0203hand.htm), combined with an analysis of your family history, I would say that your daughter will most likely have wavy brown hair.  Her hair may be light brown or dark brown, it too complicated to know for sure.  

It is also important to understand that all newborns are born with dark blue eyes to start.  It isn't until around a year that you can be sure of their eye color (blue or brown).  The hair color on your newborn baby is also not indicative of what their ultimate hair color will be.  Many babies are born with jet black hair, that later falls out and is replaced with light blonde hair.  Also, blonde hair on a baby/child often darkens with age.  My husband was born with black hair that fell out.  In its place grew blonde hair.  His hair remained blonde through his childhood.  When he reached puberty, it gradually turned a medium brown.

Hope this helps!
-C